Rabbi Abe Friedman is a respected intergovernmental affairs and community leader who has spent more than 25 years building bridges between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Based in the New York and New Jersey region, he is known for his compassion, leadership, and dedication to helping others during their most difficult moments.
Born and raised in upstate New York, Rabbi Friedman was inspired by his father, who served as a chaplain for a local sheriff’s department. He often says, “My father was my mentor and role model. He taught me that the way to make your mark in life is by helping others.” That lesson became his lifelong mission.
Over the years, Rabbi Friedman has worked closely with agencies including the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Department of Justice, NYPD, and New Jersey State Police. His work includes cultural competency training, crisis response, and personal counseling for officers and families in need. He has helped save hundreds of lives through his suicide prevention efforts and private counsel.
His leadership and commitment have earned recognition from New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the NJ State PBA, and numerous federal and local agencies. Despite the honors, Rabbi Friedman remains humble, saying, “My heart is full of gratitude to all members of law enforcement for their hard work and sacrifices.”
Today, Rabbi Friedman continues to lead with faith, empathy, and purpose — guiding others to serve, stay united, and make a difference in their communities.
Q: You’ve spent more than 25 years working closely with law enforcement and communities. How do you personally define success?
Rabbi Friedman: For me, success isn’t about titles, money, or recognition. It’s about impact. If you can look back at the end of the day and say, “Someone is in a better place because I was there,” that’s success.
I grew up watching my father do just that. He was a chaplain for a sheriff’s department in upstate New York. I used to go with him when he visited inmates who wanted prayer or just someone to talk to. That’s where I learned that success is about showing up — not when it’s easy, but when it matters most.
How has that lesson shaped the way you approach leadership and service today?
Rabbi Friedman: Leadership is about presence. It’s not about being in charge; it’s about being available. Over the years, I’ve sat with families after tragedies, officers after traumatic incidents, and people who were ready to give up. In those moments, leadership means listening more than speaking.
There’s a saying my father used to share: “You can’t fix what you won’t sit with.” That’s stayed with me. True success in leadership is having the humility to sit with pain — and the courage to stay until there’s light again.
You’ve mentioned that over the years you’ve helped prevent hundreds of suicides. How do you approach situations that intense and emotional?
Rabbi Friedman: With honesty and empathy. People in crisis don’t need lectures — they need connection. I’ve had officers call me at 2 a.m. from their patrol cars saying, “Rabbi, I can’t do this anymore.” My first response is always, “You’re not alone. We’ll get through this together.”
One thing I’ve learned is that most people who are struggling don’t want to die — they want the pain to stop. My role is to help them find a reason to hold on. I remind them to “count their blessings,” even small ones. Gratitude doesn’t erase pain, but it gives you a reason to keep moving.
Many people see you as a bridge between faith communities and law enforcement. What’s the key to building trust in such different groups?
Rabbi Friedman: Respect. You can’t help people if you don’t understand them. Over the years, I’ve done a lot of cultural competency training for law enforcement — helping officers connect with communities that don’t always trust them. The first step is always understanding the human side.
When I meet with officers or community leaders, I remind them we all want the same thing — safety, respect, and peace. Once you start from that shared goal, real progress happens. Success in any relationship, whether in business, leadership, or faith, comes down to understanding before judging.
You’ve received recognition from organizations like the New Jersey State PBA and other law enforcement agencies. How do you stay grounded amid that recognition?
Rabbi Friedman: Gratitude keeps you grounded. I’m humbled by those honors, but I don’t see them as personal awards. They’re reminders that the work matters. When I accepted those recognitions, I made sure to say thank you to the officers who sacrifice every day.
It’s easy to get caught up in achievements, but at the end of the day, the real question is — are you still serving the purpose that got you started? For me, that purpose is helping others. Everything else is secondary.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be successful in their career or community leadership?
Rabbi Friedman: Find your “why.” If your goal is only success for yourself, it won’t last. But if your goal is to make life better for others, you’ll find strength even when things get hard.
Also, learn to listen. I’ve been in rooms where tension was sky-high — police on one side, community activists on the other. The only way we moved forward was by listening. Success isn’t built by having the loudest voice; it’s built by having the most open ears.
And finally, stay consistent. In my line of work, people remember who shows up — not once, but every time.
Now that the elections have ended, what message do you think is most important for communities moving forward?
Rabbi Friedman: After any election, emotions can run high. But this is the time to come together, not pull apart. Democracy doesn’t end when the votes are counted — that’s when the real work of unity begins. We have to respect one another, even when we disagree, and remember that our shared goal is a stronger, safer, and more compassionate community.
We may not all vote the same way, but we all want the same things: peace, opportunity, and respect. The beauty of democracy is that it gives us space to have different opinions while still standing together as one people.
What keeps you motivated after all these years of service?
Rabbi Friedman: The people. When someone I counseled years ago tells me, “Rabbi, I made it — I’m still here,” that’s the greatest reward. Success, to me, is seeing people rise again.
I often tell young people: Find something that gives you meaning and give it everything you’ve got. For me, that’s helping others. That’s my measure of success — and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.